A Tuneful Teatime

You know those romantic French Macaroons that have us drooling online with all the dreamy images of them in bright colored rounds mounted one on top of the other on a beautiful platter as the centerpiece of a scrumptious teatime tablescape?

You know how everyone comments about how yummy they are and how they always serve them at teatime?

Yeah – well – I have watched from afar and now must admit: Not only have I never tasted one myself, nor been to a tea party where they were served, but I’ve never even seen one in person! A macaroon to me is of the coconut variety – which I love. But this little bit of French pastry goodness has eluded me.

Until last week.

Yes – I was blessed with a whole Valentine gift box made just for me!

It was Haley’s idea. She’s a young gal I work with as a writing mentor, helping her to make the most of her gifted way with words. She’s full of gifts, you know – not just with words or boxes of French macaroons. She’s a many time fiddle champion having won national and international championships since she was six years old. She’s eleven years old now, and continues to grow as an accomplished musician traveling throughout the country and in Ireland, playing with some of the world’s most seasoned professionals in classical orchestra and Irish folk music.

She is a homeschool student whom I’ve worked with before with other students, but this year, it’s just me and her. We’re working on a blog journal of her adventures. She calls it, TUNEFUL JOURNEYS.

So, every week when we meet to fine tune her blog post and work on other writing related projects, we start off our visit with a cup of tea. She likes my Almond Cookies Green Tea, and promised to bring macaroons. I was thinking coconut – she surprised me with the very elegant French Macaroons.

Immediately, we did a short photo shoot to capture them on film before we ate them all! I displayed them by the tea cabinet with a couple of snowmen friends looking on while showing off my latest thrift store teacup find!

Just loved this pansy floral bouquet print that made me feel like SPRING all over! The pinks and purples of the flowers were a lovely compliment to the purple macaroon with the spring pink center frosting.

As soon as I bit into it I knew I was eating a scrumptious meringue and couldn’t have been more impressed hearing that Haley had made these all by herself! I was encouraged to believe that if I only had the recipe, I might be able to make them, too! And, what do you suppose? Haley emailed me the recipe to make and share:

Haley’s French Macaroons

3 egg whites

2 cups confectionery sugar

1 cup almond flour

1/4 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Mix the confectionery sugar and almond flour together in a food processor until it is as thin and powdery as possible and set aside. Use a hand mixer to whip the egg whites until they are very white, thick, fluffy and foamy. Add the cream of tartar and mix well. Slowly add the granulated sugar and mix well. Add food coloring in the color of your choice (about 5 drops) to color your macaroon shell. Fold in the almond flour mixture and mix well. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag and pipe onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet or silicone Macaroon baking mat as found on Amazon. When using the silicone baking mat, be sure to lay it on a baking sheet to keep it sturdy. Bake at 300 degrees for 18-20 minutes – cool and carefully remove them to a wire rack.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

3 cups confectionery sugar

1/3 cup butter (softened coconut oil works well, too)

1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla extract

2-4 Tablespoons milk

In medium bowl, mix confectionery sugar and butter with a spoon or hand mixer on low. Stir in vanilla extract and 1 Tablespoon of milk at a time. Gradually stir in the remaining milk until the frosting is smooth in texture and as spreadable and silky as possible. Gently spread the frosting onto the macaroon shell and stick two of the shells together to form a tiny sandwich patty. Serve with tea.

My teacup never looked so good but with Almond Cookies Green Tea on the inside, and one of Haley’s French Macaroons on the saucer on the outside.

After a quick lesson in the proper way to hold the handle of a teacup as opposed to the handle of a mug, Haley tested the tea and French Macaroon for herself.

She was delighted enough to play an Irish jig – but she’d only brought her computer with her so we worked on her blog instead.

And, ate French Macaroons.

But – should YOU feel like dancing to an Irish jig the next time you eat a French Macaroon ~ because it puts you in a happy place ~ here’s a little tune performed by Haley to get your feet tapping. Do visit her new blog at TUNEFUL JOURNEYS to follow her “gigs” and enjoy her gifts!

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"I teach families how to restore their God-given authority as the primary educator in their child’s life through the experience of reading together as a family. Learn how to use literature to create teachable moments, build strong minds, and bind loving hearts."

Kathryn Ross, writer, speaker, and dramatist, ignites a love of literature and learning to equip young and old towards developing a Family Literacy Lifestyle—reading together, learning together, loving together. Her works challenge families to deepen their literacy skills and grow into the greater things God has purposed for them. She’s taught in Christian and homeschool circles, trained in the Principle Approach® through the Foundation for American Christian Education. Miss Kathy owns Pageant Wagon Publishing, producing homeschool enrichment materials, devotional works, study guides, and theatrical dramas for church, school, and community production. She podcasts at TheWritersReverie.com and blogs at PageantWagonPublishing.com.

Comments

Your little friend looks like a sweetie! She certainly is accomplished at such a young age. The macaroons look delicious. It is about time you tasted one! lol! Your newest tea cup is a sweet one too. It looks just like you! I love the handle too, don’t you?
Hugs,
Terri

What a sweet and talented young lady! The French Macarons look wonderful. I have never tried making them myself. The only time I ever saw them or had one was when we visited our son out in Vancouver, BC and my DIL and I visited a tea room. They really do look lovely on a tea tray. Thank you, Kathy, for your lovely post and introducing us to Haley. Happy Valentine’s Day!

What a wonderful and very special gift from a very special friend! How fun to see what life brings your sweet friend. Nice to include the recipe, and I love your teacup! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
Ruth

What an accomplished young lady and the gift of macaroons is so special. The pretty vignette with the macaroons is lovely. Your pretty cup and saucer being used by the young lady is darling and I know ya’ll had a lovely tea. Have a great 4th!

How very marvelous! What a sweet girl! I myself have never made nor eaten these confections! I’ll just have to give them a try! This is too sweet! I just love all your cuckoo clocks! They look beautiful transformed! I am delighted that you shared with A Return to Loveliness,
Kathy

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